Football
Kennedy Boboye: Sunshine Stars’ Veteran Coach Eyes Third NPFL Title and Nigeria Return
Veteran coach Kennedy Boboye aims to lead Sunshine Stars to their first NPFL title, marking his third championship win, while remaining open to a Nigeria national team return. Football bettors may find Sunshine Stars an intriguing pick under Boboye’s leadership this season.
Boboye
Former Nigeria international and Sunshine Stars coach, Kennedy Boboye, has his sights set on securing his third Nigeria Professional Football League title.
Prior to his second stint at the Owena Whales, the veteran coach guided Plateau United (2017) and Akwa United (2021) to their sole Nigerian top-flight titles.
Now, he’s hoping for a third-time charm—this time with his hometown team, Sunshine Stars, where he began his coaching journey after concluding his playing career with South Africa’s Manning Rangers.
"Every coach dream of winning the league title each season, and my ambition is no different. I've won the NPFL title twice, and my focus now is to secure a third with Sunshine Stars," Boboye told SportsBoom.
"This will also allow us to represent Nigeria in next season's CAF Champions League. I must admit, it won’t be an easy task, but I am determined to achieve this, and my players are ready and motivated.
If Pep [Guardiola], who has won the Premier League title six times with Manchester City, is still hungry for more, what excuse do I have?
Kennedy Boboye
Last season, we spent most of our time battling against relegation, but this time we’ve started strong. Our goal is to build on our results and become Nigerian champions.
"We have a relatively young team, and we understand that we will likely face some losses along the way. However, we will keep pushing to make this dream a reality. I know how much Sunshine Stars wants this, especially since we have never won the league in our history—now could be our time."
Boboye Applauds Progress in the NPFL
Image Credits: Boboye
Stepping away from his personal goals, the 50-year-old highlights the advancements in the Nigerian top flight, while also noting that there is still room for further improvement.
"To be fair, the NPFL has been improving year after year, thanks to the efforts of the league organizers," he continued. "We’ve seen significant enhancements in various aspects, including the quality of pitches, officiating, organization, and overall standard of play, which we have often critiqued.
"However, there is still more work to be done to reach the standards of countries like South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.
"The league has seen several away victories, and goals are flowing in, which are all positive indicators. I can only hope that the league continues to grow, benefiting our national teams as well.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see our clubs performing well in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, just as they have in the past.
Kennedy Boboye
Mayi Poised to Inspire Nigeria in CHAN Qualifiers
As the 2025 African Nations Championship qualifiers between Nigeria and Ghana approach, coach Augustine Eguavoen has called up 35 players, including Sunshine Stars’ Seth Mayi.
Mayi made his Super Eagles debut in Nigeria's 4-0 loss to Mexico during an international friendly on July 4, 2021, held in the United States.
While praising the midfielder's selection, the former Nigeria international believes his presence could make a significant impact against the Black Stars.
Boboye stated, "I am very pleased with Mayi's invitation to the Super Eagles. He has been exceptionally impressive this season with Sunshine Stars, and I firmly believe this call-up is well-deserved.
"This isn't his first time with the senior national team, so I expect him to leverage his experience to help Nigeria qualify for the CHAN at the expense of our rivals, Ghana.
"His call-up has also served as motivation for his teammates here, inspiring them to work harder in hopes of catching the attention of the national team selectors."
Nigeria Comeback Ambition Revealed
Boboye is not dismissing the possibility of returning to the Nigeria national team if the opportunity arises.
After achieving success in the league, he was appointed to coach the Nigeria U23, Nigeria B, and the senior national teams at various times.
“I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to serve my country in the past, and I remain open to coaching any of the national teams in the future. I would gladly embrace that chance with both hands.”
In 2023, Boboye earned a UEFA C Licence from the Irish Football Association. The UEFA C Licence is a coaching qualification aimed at coaches who want to enhance their skills and develop their players.
Shina Oludare is a notable Nigerian sports journalist and writer recognized for his extensive coverage of African sports. He has made significant contributions to the field through his work with reputable media outlets such as Goal.com and Soccernet. Known for his insightful analysis and comprehensive reporting, Oludare covers a wide range of topics within African football, including domestic leagues, national teams, and emerging talents. His work includes detailed player profiles, match previews and reviews, and transfer news, providing valuable insights into the intricacies of the sport on the continent.